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For anyone moving into a new home, this is both an exciting and a busy time. There are a number of tasks you may be thinking about completing during the early parts of your time in your new home, including many that are vital for your adjustment to the new space and ensuring all your belongings have been properly moved and packed during your moving process.
At Sullivan Moving & Storage, we’re here to help with many of them, from the lead-up to moving day to many needs post move. Our team of Phoenix movers will handle all your local and long-distance moving needs, including packing, unpacking, transportation and more. Here are some tips we commonly offer our clients on the first and most important areas to take care of in their new home, generally within the first week they’re living in it (or earlier in many cases).
While you’ll already have done several walk-throughs during the lead-up to buying or renting a home, it’s always a good idea to do another one (or several) once you’ve moved in all your belongings and are getting ready to start living in the space. This will help you catch any potential hazards around the home, get a feel for which areas may need some modification or organization, and give you the opportunity to start getting familiar with the flow of your new home.
For instance, move through various safety-related areas, such as your main water shut-off valve, your electrical panel, and any GFCI outlets in your kitchen or bathroom. Get to know where these are located and how to use them properly, as you never know when you may need to shut off water or power in an emergency situation.
You should also take a look at all the windows and doors in your new home, checking to make sure they’re properly sealed and locked. This will help you ensure your home is as secure as possible, and it’s always good to know the ins and outs of your new space as soon as possible.
Make sure the entire family (including any pets) is comfortable with the walk-through process, as this will help everyone get familiar with the layout of your new home and ensure everyone knows where various rooms and areas are located.
One of the most important things to do in your new home is make sure all your utilities are turned on and that your address has been properly changed with the relevant authorities.
This includes items like water, electricity, gas, and trash service, as well as TV, internet, and phone service if you’re planning on having these in your new home. In many cases, you can set up most or all of these services in advance, but it’s always a good idea to confirm that everything has been turned on and is working properly once you’re moved in.
You’ll also want to make sure your address has been changed with the US Postal Service (USPS) so that you can start receiving your mail at your new home. This is a fairly simple process that you can do online, and it’s important to make sure this is done as soon as possible so you don’t miss any important mailings.
Finally, you’ll want to update your address with any relevant financial institutions, government agencies, and companies that you receive mail from regularly.
The first week or so in your new home is the perfect time to do a deep clean of the entire space, as you’ll likely be unpacking and organizing your belongings during this time anyway. This will help you get rid of any dirt, dust, or debris that may have been left behind by the previous occupants (or from your own move-in process).
In many cases, doing this before you begin your major unpacking and organization process will make the entire process easier and less messy, as you won’t have to worry about cleaning up after yourself as you go.
It’s also important to have a plan for unpacking your belongings and getting everything organized in your new home. This may seem like a daunting task, but if you take it one step at a time it can be much easier than you think.
Start by creating a list of all the rooms and areas in your new home, then start assigning items to each space based on their function. For instance, all your kitchen items should go in the kitchen, all your bedroom items should go in the bedroom, and so on. Once you have a general plan for where everything should go, start unpacking one room or area at a time and work your way through your entire list. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by the process.
A good tip here: If you’re short on time or just want some help in this area, our professional movers will be happy to do the unpacking for you. Our crew can unpack all of your boxes and remove the moving debris (empty boxes and packing material).
Finally, be sure to take some time during your first week in your new home to explore your new neighborhood. This includes both getting to know the immediate area around your home and also venturing out into the broader community to see what else it has to offer.
Start by taking a walk or drive around your immediate vicinity, familiarizing yourself with the layout of the streets and getting to know any nearby businesses or amenities. You may also want to introduce yourself to your neighbors during this time, as this can help you feel more connected to your new community.
Then, venture out into the wider community to see what else it has to offer. This may include checking out local parks, restaurants, shops, and other attractions. Familiarizing yourself with your new community will make it feel more like home in no time.
For more on what to do during your first week in a new home, including unpacking plans, or to learn about any of our quality Phoenix moving services, speak to our team at Sullivan Moving & Storage today.
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Helpful Tips & Resources from the Phoenix Moving Experts
